"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock. In His arm He will gather the lambs; And carry them in His bosom" Isaiah 40:11 I find it completely awesome that in this world, I am totally someones. Someone to love me, cherish me, discipline me (in love), someone who will never, ever, ever, leave me. Someone who calls me His very own.

Monday, February 27, 2017

"We - His Favorites" - 02/27/17 - Deuteronomy 1-2

"Don’t play favorites; treat the little and the big alike; listen carefully to each." (1:17)

" I tried to relieve your fears: “Don’t be terrified of them. God, your God, is leading the way; He’s fighting for you. You saw with your own eyes what He did for you in Egypt; you saw what He did in the wilderness, how God, your God, carried you as a father carries his child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here. But now that you’re here, you won’t trust God, your God" (1:29-33)I always thought it was the disrespect from others which angered me - it isn't. It is double standards. It is when one is favored, allowed to do and others are not. The damage of favoritism is felt throughout the world, the church, and into our homes.

Favoritism has been around since Adam and Eve were kicked out of The Garden. It is a fertile breeding ground for entitlement, narcissism, dictatorship, selfishness, jealousy, manipulation, and other unChristlike behavior. Throughout Scripture, historical documents, we read the accounts of favoritism and its consequences. Producing a ripple which is carried down through many generations causing so much division, bitterness, hurt, loss. Wars are created because of it.
One of the best things about our Abba is He doesn't rule with double standards and as a member of His family we enjoy knowing He:

"Doesn't play favorites; treating the little and the big alike; listening carefully to each."It has taken a leap of faith to actually live and believe this in such a "me" obsessed world, because if I don't stand up for "me", favoritism will run me right over. Our world seeps with favoritism. Be it in a store, waiting in line and completely ignored, while the clerk waits on an obvious friend who just walked up. Hearing of medical bills being written off for someone who knew someone, while one who is really struggling - continues to struggle. Standing with a mom and listening to her heart break as she shares of her young son being bullied, and nothing is done to the bully. Watching so many work their hardest, at school, their job, and being passed over for that award or promotion, for someone who is favored. When watching the news, hearing instances of injustice to the victim. So often I would become angry and speak malice. But never face to face to the person. I would do anything to avoid confrontation because of fear.

Now, I know God is our defender and He has removed from me the fear and vengeful anger. He has taken my anger and helped me to look upon those with Love and to earnestly pray for them. I have learned and feel - our ABBA grieves. It breaks His heart how sin is running rampant in this world and destroying those He has made in His image. Us.

He has also taken from my heart the "need" to defend "me". For He is my commander in Chief - who is not in a tent behind the army. He is front and center before each one of His. How can we not trust Him when He says He has our back? Why ever would we continue trying to defend ourselves, when He does that for each one of His? He knows our heart, He knows the situations we will end up in. It continually blows me away when I look back to what and where He has brought me. Through all those minefields - He has brought us here to the place we are today. To today.

"you saw what He did in the wilderness, how God, your God, carried you as a Father carries His child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here. But now that you’re here, you won’t trust God, your God"

It isn't just for me He has done this. He has done this for each one of His Beloved.

However do we not rely on Him and His strength? However do we not have faith and trust in He knows what is best. He unconditionally loves us more than we will ever comprehend.

Ever.

No matter the situation, we have to let Him be who they see. Who they hear. He is who holds them accountable. We have to concentrate on our relationship "in" Him and making Disciples. We have to see the spiritual battle for what it is and not take personal what someone may say or do. Their actions are between them and God. Just as ours are between Him and ourself.

Being His Beloved protects us from being the victim.
He has our back.
We are all His "favorites".

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Jennifer Dukes Lee

Encourage 24/7

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About Me

My passion is to lead people to be into His Word every day. It is the essential key to being in an "intimate relationship" with Him, and give us the tools needed to get through this life! He led me to begin a FB group, "Blog Through the Word" and each day I post a set of verses as we read through His Word in a year. Then (I hope!) we each blog about how God spoke to us through them. This not only brings an awareness to a verse we may just "skim" over, but when He gives someone the same verse that is really cool.
Even though we don't always blog daily, I am praying that we are all in His Word each and every day. If you are on Facebook please let me count you in!
May He lead you to join us on this journey.